Improvement in reed-organs



2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

M. J. MATTHEWS. Reed-Organ.

No. 196,984. Patented Nov. 13, 1877.

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i V @E WITNESSES. INVE NTOR- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MASON J. MATTHEWS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MASOL 8: HAMLIN ORGAN COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN REED-ORGANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,984, dated November 13, 1877 application filed June 27, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, MASON J. MATTHEWS, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Reed-Or gans, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to reedorgans of the class known as cabinet-organs, having eX- haustbellows.

It consists of an enlarged and peculiarlyproportioned scale of resonating-tubes, pallet openings, and reeds, in connection with novel means to operate them.

The first object of my invention is to provide, by the simplest possible method, capacity for combined delicacy, elasticity, and volume of tone-power far beyond anything that has hitherto been obtained from reeds of ordinary construction under ordinary conditions.

The second object of my invention is to provide the greatest possible margin between the two extremes of tonepower without the tendency to blow out of tune.

The reeds of all ordinary and most approved cabinet-organs are situated below the keys, and are mounted in tubes arranged at distances apart corresponding to the scale of these keys, so that each reed-pallet can be operated by a direct action from the key connected with it. This is a convenient but imperfect condition, inasmuch as it involves the employment of a disproportioned scale of reeds having defective lower registers, especially so that the middle and bass part of the instrument is weak and emasculated, affording but a small margin between its softest and loudest effect, and lackin g the vim and strength necessary to resist the varying wind-pressure of the bellows without sounding disagreeably out of tune, or, when the highest pressure is applied, refusing to speak altogether.

It is impossible to make an agreeable disposal of the defects above named when the ordinary or key-board scale of reeds and tubes are employed.

The instrument constructed according to my invention is about three times the power of any ordinary cabinet-organ having an equal number of sets of reeds. Its margin between the softest and loudest effect is proportioned to its power. Its bass and treble are balanced, so that there is no disagreeable preponderance of either over the other. It is essentially superior to ordinary instruments also in its general character of tone, which is full, deep, elastie, and pipe-like.

The following specification, with explanatory drawings, sets forth in detail the nature and manner of construction of my invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, representing the principal parts of an instrument embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing extension-levers and octave-coupler, some of the levers and keys being removed. Fig. 3 represents, in sectional elevation, at modification of extension-levers mounted on the back of the key-frame. Fig. etis abrokenoff plan view of modification extension-levers, octave-coupler being removed. Fig. 5 represents, in crossseetion, a ventrillo-lever with flange joint. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are drawn on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2.

A represents the keys, B the key-frame, C the tube-board, and I) the swell-cap, all of which are of ordinary construction, and diifer from the parts answering to them in other instruments only in the matter of proportions and size. Mounted on the swell-cap D is a series of extension-levers, (I. These are hinged to the flanges E, which are glued into the rail 0 on the swell-cap D. The levers d, at their front ends, are arranged at distances apart corresponding to the scale of the keys A. The push-pins f extend beyond the scale of the keys A. The levers d spread out toward the back, as shown in Fig. 2, so that they rest on the push-pins j, which they are to operate. The keys A operate the push-pins f through the medium of the extension-levers d, and not directly, as in ordinary cases. The octavecoupler c is operated also by the keys A through the medium of these levers d.

In Figs. 3 and at another kind of extension levers, F, is represented as mounted on a strip, G, which is fastened to the back rail 9 of the key-frame B. These levers F are parchmentjointed, and are arranged so that their respective keys shall operate themat a point most desirable for securing the proper opening of the pallets which they are intended to affect. The proper dip of the keys A is obtained by the regulating-screws H.

When the levers F are employed the octavecoupler c is operated directly by the key A,

as shown in Fig.- 3.

Mounted on the under side of the wind-chest I is a tube-chest or ventrillo-chest, J, containing a set of reeds, K. This set of reeds K is operated by the keys A through the medium of extension-levers dor F, push-pins f, valves iv, and levers and valves L 1. Each lever L is provided with a regulating-screw, 0. Below each regulating-screw 0 is a hole, 0, through the mortise-board I, upon which the tubeboard J is fastened. A groove is made along -the mortise-board P, in which a leather-covered strip of wood, 1", is inserted. 1

To regulate the action of ventrillo-chestJ,

the strip 1' is removed and the regulating screws 0 turned by means of a suitable keya key made to fit the regulating-screw 0until a proper relation is made between the block that might be disturbed in process of regula tion is objectionable.

A block, T, is inserted between the upper and lower board of the wind-chest I, to prevent any maladjustment of the action which might be caused by the exhaust force of the bellows drawing the parts together.

as to action and scale of reeds, in which case the levers L would have to radiate and beset apart at distances corresponding to the compass of the keys, and also to the enlarged scale of reed-tubes. This arrangement is simplified by the employment of the flange-joint m.

I claim as my invention 1. An enlarged scale of reeds extending laterally beyond the compass of the keys of the manual, and combined therewith by intermediate levers, arranged to operate the valves 70 through the medium of the push-pins f, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a series of intermediate levers, arranged to operate the valves 70 through the medium of the push-pins f, and connecting the keys of the manual with an enlarged scale of reeds, a coupling mechanism, arranged to operate substantially as described.

3. The lever L, having. a metallic flangejoint mounted on the ventrillo-chest J I, in

connection with the operating reed-valves of a cabinet-organ, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the regulating-screw 0 in the lever L, the opening 0, and strip 7' with theoperating reed-valves of a cabinetorgan, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand this 25th day of June in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MASON J. MATTHEWS.

- Witnesses: I

SEWALL D. 'SA soN, C. FRANK SOUTHACK. 

